The meeting will be independently chaired by Phil Upton, of BBC CWR. Phil will take questions from the floor for the panel of Warwick District Councillors and Senior Officers responsible for the delivery of the ambitious HQ plans and car parking displacement plan during the development of Covent Garden Car Park.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Andrew Mobbs says:

“We welcome the opportunity to engage with residents and businesses about our plans for the council’s new HQ and car parking displacement plan. We want to keep the conversation going, so that we are clear about the issues they have and can answer their concerns.  I urge you to come along and find out more.”

The Council’s Executive team has declined an invitation to attend a public meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday 25 October, because organisers failed to check their availability before the meeting was arranged.

Cllr Andrew Mobbs adds:

“There is nothing to be gained by setting the date and publicising the meeting without first checking if councillors are available to sit on the panel, especially if these are the decision makers that the public wants to hear from.  Key members of my team have long-standing commitments to their wards and they are not willing to let them down at this late stage.  We do however recognise the importance of continued engagement with our local business community and residents to share the details of our ambitious plans for the town centre and to answer their questions.”

We are inviting businesses to a separate breakfast meeting on the morning of the 13 November, although the public evening meeting will give businesses a further opportunity to discuss plans along with any members of the public who would like to attend.